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THE MONKEY’S PAW By: W.W. Jacobs. Neda Simone Jade Ehren Aleasha. Personality Traits. Mr. White: Curious – Presses the Sergeant to tell him more about the monkey’s paw. Gullible – Believes in the powers of the monkey paw, and the idea it could give him everything he needs.
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THE MONKEY’S PAWBy: W.W. Jacobs Neda Simone Jade Ehren Aleasha
Personality Traits Mr. White: • Curious – Presses the Sergeant to tell him more about the monkey’s paw. • Gullible – Believes in the powers of the monkey paw, and the idea it could give him everything he needs. • Slow witted – Slow to realize what the sergeant is hinting to him about the consequences of monkey’s paw. • Persistent – Continuously saved the paw from destruction at the hands of the Sergeant and insisted on having it. • Guilty – Felt responsible for son’s death and wished his son back to life under his wife’s influence.
Personality Traits Mrs. White: • Maternal – has a very close relationship with her only son, Herbert. She often takes his side and speaks highly of him • Emotional – Mourning over her deceased son; her emotions frighten her husband, forcing him to wish their son back to life. • Irrational – without thinking of the consequences of using the monkey’s paw once more, she demands Mr. White to use his wish to bring Herbert back.
Major Conflicts In the monkey paw there are many conflicts seen: * Person VS. Person:Conflict is the struggle between the opposing forces on which the action in a work of literature depends( Mark Flanagan, 2011 ) * Person VS. Himself: The leading character struggles with himself/herself; with his/her own soul, ideas of right or wrong, physical limitations, choices, etc.( Judith A,2011) * Person VS. Society: The leading character struggles against ideas, practices, or customs of other people.
Major Conflicts:Person vs. Supernatural But the major conflict in the story is: * Person VS. Supernatural: is a conflict between the protagonist and something other worldly or magic. The paw is the source of the supernatural conflict in the story with it being cursed by an old fakir to grant three wishes. This sets the tone for the supernatural part of the conflict.
Major Conflicts Sergeant major introduces the monkeys paw to the White family with tales of the curse and what consequences came to the others, with a realization that this curse needed to end, sergeant major throws the paw into the fire. Mr. White chooses to snatch the paw from the fire and take it for his own. This is where the Person V.S supernatural starts with Mr. White obtaining the paw from the fire.
Major Conflicts With Person VS supernatural as the major conflict the author is able to build other minor conflicts. Such as: * Person V.S. Society: in the story this is seen when the company from which the son worked would not claim responsibility for the son’s death. Instead they tried to buy the family with money, which happened to be the same amount they wished for, also connecting it to the Person VS. Supernatural conflict in the story.
Major Conflicts The major conflict in the monkeys paw is the curse that has been placed on the paw, this type of conflict is called Person VS supernatural with this curse comes the stepping stones to the rest of the conflicts in the story.
Major Conflicts The major conflict in the monkeys paw is the curse that has been placed on the paw, this type of conflict is called Person VS supernatural with this curse comes the stepping stones to the rest of the conflicts in the story.
Key Scenes… Key Scenes: Mr. White making his first wish • Mr. White decides to make a wish for 200 pounds despite the Sergeants warnings • Paw moves in his hand as if Mr. White has made a “deal” after he makes the wish • Herbert and Mrs. White are very nonchalant and uncaring of the paws apparent “powers” • There is a dark and menacing mood after the wish is made • Scene drives the plot forward by adding suspense and intrigue • This scene is the rising action of the story
How does the story relate to problems of class? • The story “The Monkey’s Paw” is merely depicting an era where the bourgeoisie epitomized the ruling class, thus, having significant authority over the lower, and middle classes. • The protagonist of the story, Mr. White made a wish to acquire $200, using the monkey’s paw, even though he was warned by his friend about the terrible side effects that would take place due to every wish made using the paw. • Following the wish Mr. White received the news of his son’s death from a man sent by the company his son Herbert worked for.
How does the story relate to problems of class? • The root of this tragedy is when the White family, who happened to be considered as a “middle class” in the society, make a wish to receive money, so that they could also enjoy the benefits of wealth, which ultimately resembles power. • This could be portrayed when the messenger from the company illustrates little sincerity on behalf of the company, “I was to say that Maw and Meggins disclaim all responsibility…They admit no liability at all…they wish to present you with a certain sum as compensation.” (W.W. Jacobs 7).
How does the story relate to problems of class? • By analyzing this quote, we could conclude that the bourgeoisie lacked respect for the middle class by disclaiming any responsibility for Herbert’s death, and ironically, have only offered $200 for remunerations, thus, buying their way out of a tragedy that took place at their company, and their machinery. • This could also illustrate the fact that the White family fully ignored the consequences warned by their friend just so only they could become wealthy without having to work for it.
Questions! What is the irony of the Sergeant behaviour in the beginning of the story in regards to, Mr. White’s behaviour towards the end of the story? How does the opening scene help create a mood of mystery and uneasiness? Do you think this story can relate to problems in our current society?
